The Mexica Settle the Valley of Mexico
The Mexica Settle the Valley of Mexico covers how the people who became the Aztecs—originally called the Mexica—migrated from northern Mexico as a nomadic group and arrived in the Valley of Mexico around 1250 C.E. This Grade 7 history skill explores how the Mexica believed their patron god guided them on a long journey to find a permanent home. Students learn that the Valley of Mexico was already home to advanced city-states and the ruins of earlier civilizations like the Teotihuacáns and Toltecs. The Mexica adopted knowledge from these older cultures and served as skilled mercenaries for local rulers. This topic aligns with Chapter 7: Civilizations of the Americas in History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond.
Key Concepts
The people who became the Aztecs originally called themselves the Mexica. For many years, they were a nomadic group, moving from place to place in northern Mexico. They believed their patron god guided them on a long journey to find a new home.
Around 1250 C.E., the Mexica arrived in the Valley of Mexico. This area was already home to advanced city states and the ruins of great civilizations like the Teotihuacáns and Toltecs. The Mexica learned from these older cultures and worked as skilled mercenaries for local rulers while they searched for a permanent home.
Common Questions
Who were the Mexica and how are they connected to the Aztecs?
The Mexica were a nomadic people from northern Mexico who eventually became known as the Aztecs. They migrated for many years, believing their patron god guided them on a long journey to find a permanent homeland. Around 1250 C.E., they arrived in the Valley of Mexico.
When did the Mexica arrive in the Valley of Mexico?
The Mexica arrived in the Valley of Mexico around 1250 C.E. At that time, the valley was already populated by advanced city-states and contained the ruins of earlier civilizations such as the Teotihuacáns and Toltecs.
Why did the Mexica leave northern Mexico?
The Mexica were originally a nomadic group that moved from place to place in northern Mexico. They believed their patron god directed them on a long journey to find a new, permanent home, which ultimately led them to the Valley of Mexico.
What earlier civilizations influenced the Mexica in the Valley of Mexico?
The Valley of Mexico contained the ruins of great civilizations like the Teotihuacáns and Toltecs. The Mexica learned from these older cultures and adopted their knowledge while they searched for a permanent settlement in the region.
What did the Mexica do before they established a permanent home?
Before settling permanently, the Mexica worked as skilled mercenaries for local rulers in the Valley of Mexico. This allowed them to earn a living and gain military experience while continuing to search for their own homeland.
What chapter covers the Mexica settling the Valley of Mexico in Grade 7 history?
This topic is covered in Chapter 7: Civilizations of the Americas in the textbook History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond. It is part of the Grade 7 history curriculum and explores how the Mexica migrated to and settled in the Valley of Mexico around 1250 C.E.
What was the Valley of Mexico like when the Mexica arrived?
When the Mexica arrived around 1250 C.E., the Valley of Mexico was already home to advanced city-states. It also contained the ruins of earlier great civilizations, including the Teotihuacáns and Toltecs, whose cultural legacy influenced the newcomers.